Amid the aftermath of devastating floods in Nepal, where roads and bridges have been destroyed and helicopters are engaged in search and rescue operations, the country’s army has turned to drones for delivering aid to displaced individuals. Following a Himalayan glacier break near the Nepal-China border in late August, the disaster has resulted in at least 1,367 confirmed deaths and over 5,000 missing persons in Nepal.
Expressing the necessity of utilizing drones for distributing food, essentials, medicine, and fuel, Santosh Budhathoki, a contracted drone pilot for the Nepal army, highlighted the significance of these aerial vehicles. Drones, capable of traveling distances of three to four kilometers and carrying up to 60 kilograms, have proven to be an efficient means of providing aid to affected communities in urgent need.
The army is currently conducting approximately 10 to 16 aid deliveries per day using a fleet of four DJI FlyCart 100 drones, generously donated by China as part of recent aid efforts. Apart from aid delivery, drones have been instrumental in relocating flood victims’ bodies and have played a crucial role in reconnaissance and search and rescue operations in affected regions.
Milan Pandey, from the drone-operating company Airlift Technology, emphasized the geographical advantage of using drones in Nepal due to its rugged terrain, making them a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective option. The continuous operation of drones in the region has been essential, reflecting the urgency of the situation and the critical role these devices play in providing assistance during a crisis.